U.S. patent application number 12/320968 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for magazines in fastener driving tools.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAKITA CORPORTATION. Invention is credited to Ken Arata, Yasuhiro Morioka, Noriyuki Nishido, Jiro Oda, Ken Shibahara.
Application Number | 20090200354 12/320968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40938052 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090200354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arata; Ken ; et al. |
August 13, 2009 |
Magazines in fastener driving tools
Abstract
A magazine in a fastener driving tool includes a magazine body,
a pusher, a biasing device and a pusher holding device. The
magazine body defines a fastener receiving space for storing a
plurality of fasteners therein. The pusher is mounted to the
magazine body and is movable in a fattener feeding direction toward
a fastener driving channel defined in a tool body of the fastener
driving tool. The biasing device biases the pusher in the fastener
feeding direction. The pusher holding device can hold the pusher at
a midway position within a movable range of the pusher in the
fastener feeding direction. The pusher holding device may include
no insertion hole or only one insertion hole formed in the magazine
body.
Inventors: |
Arata; Ken; (Anjo-shi,
JP) ; Morioka; Yasuhiro; (Anjo-shi, JP) ; Oda;
Jiro; (Anjo-shi, JP) ; Nishido; Noriyuki;
(Anjo-shi, JP) ; Shibahara; Ken; (Anjo-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
MAKITA CORPORTATION
Anjo-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
40938052 |
Appl. No.: |
12/320968 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
227/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25C 1/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
227/132 |
International
Class: |
B27F 7/00 20060101
B27F007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 13, 2008 |
JP |
2008-031591 |
Claims
1. A magazine in a fastener driving tool, comprising: a magazine
body defining a fastener receiving space for storing a plurality of
fasteners therein; a pusher movable relative to the magazine body
along a fattener feeding direction toward a fastener driving
channel defined in a tool body of the fastener driving tool; a
biasing device constructed to bias the pusher in the fastener
feeding direction; and a pusher holding device configured to hold
the pusher at a midway position within a movable range of the
pusher in the fastener feeding direction, the pusher holding device
comprising: an engaging member mounted to one of the magazine body
and the pusher and movable between an engaging position and a rest
position; wherein the engaging member can engage the other of the
magazine body and the pusher for holding the pusher at the midway
position against the biasing force of the biasing device.
2. The magazine as in claim 1, wherein the engaging member can
pivot relative to the one of the magazine and the pusher.
3. The magazine as in claim 2, wherein the engaging member can
pivot within a plane parallel to the fastener feeding
direction.
4. The magazine as in claim 1, wherein: the magazine body includes
a pair of guide rails configured to guide the fasteners along the
fastener feeding direction; and the engaging member is mounted to
one of the guide rails.
5. The magazine as in claim 1 wherein: the magazine body includes a
pair of guide rails configured to guide the fasteners in the
fastener feeding direction; and the engaging member is mounted to
the pusher and can engage one of the guide rails.
6. The magazine as in claim 2, wherein the engaging member
comprises a leaf spring.
7. The magazine as in claim 1, wherein the engaging member can move
in a direction perpendicular to the fastener feeding direction.
8. The magazine as in claim 7, wherein: the fasteners are joined
parallel to each other to form a fastener stick having a lengthwise
direction, a height direction and a thickness direction that are
perpendicular relative to each other; the fastener stick is stored
within the magazine such that the lengthwise direction of the
fastener stick is parallel to the fastener feeding direction; and
the engaging member can move in one of the height direction and the
thickness direction.
9. The magazine as in claim 8, wherein the engaging member can move
in the height direction and is biased in one of engaging and
disengaging directions.
10. The magazine as in claim 8, wherein: the magazine body has a
recess formed therein and communicating with the fastener receiving
space; the recess has a bottom positioned away from the fastener
receiving space in the thickness direction; and the engaging member
extends through the pusher in the thickness direction and is
threadably engaged with the pusher, so that one end of the engaging
member can frictionally contact with the bottom of the recess.
11. A magazine in a fastener driving tool, comprising: a magazine
body defining a fastener receiving space for storing a plurality of
fasteners therein; a pusher movable relative to the magazine body
along a fattener feeding direction toward a fastener driving
channel defined in a tool body of the fastener driving tool; a
biasing device constructed to bias the pusher in the fastener
feeding direction; a pair of guide rails configured to guide the
fasteners in the fastener feeding direction; and a pusher holding
device configured to hold the pusher at a midway position within a
movable range of the pusher in the fastener feeding direction, the
pusher holding device comprising: an engaging member that can
engage between the pusher and at least one of the guide rails.
12. The magazine as in claim 11, wherein the engaging member
comprises a restricting bar that is removably mounted between the
guide rails and can contact with one end of the pusher in the
fastener feeding direction.
13. The magazine as in claim 11, wherein: the engaging member
comprises a pin; and the pusher holding device further comprises an
engaging hole formed in the pusher and an insertion hole formed in
one of the guide rails, so that the pin can be inserted into the
engaging hole formed in the pusher through the insertion hole
formed in one of the guide rails,
14. The magazine as in claim 11, wherein: the pusher holding device
further comprises a first recess formed in the pusher and a second
recess formed in one of the guide rails, and the engaging member
can be inserted into the first and second recesses to extend
therebetween.
15. A magazine in a fastener driving tool, comprising: a magazine
body defining a fastener receiving space for storing a plurality of
fasteners therein; a pusher movable relative to the magazine body
along a fattener feeding direction toward a fastener driving
channel defined in a tool body of the fastener driving tool; a
biasing device constructed to bias the pusher in the fastener
feeding direction; and a pusher holding device configured to hold
the pusher at a midway position within a movable range of the
pusher in the fastener feeding direction, the pusher holding device
comprising: an insertion hole formed in the pusher; and an engaging
member that can be removably inserted into the insertion hole; an
engaging portion provided on the magazine body or a part of the
tool body, so that the engaging member can engage the engaging
portion.
16. The magazine as in claim 15, wherein: the magazine body has a
recess formed therein and communicating with the fastener receiving
space; the recess has a bottom positioned away from the fastener
receiving space; the engaging portion comprises a part of the
bottom.
17. The magazine as in claim 15, wherein; the insertion hole is a
bottomed hole formed in a front portion of the pusher in a
direction parallel to the fastener feeding direction; and the
fastener driving channel is defined within a driver guide that is a
part of the tool body; and the engaging portion is disposed on the
driver guide.
18. The magazine as in claim 15, wherein: the magazine body has a
recess formed therein and communicating with the fastener receiving
space; the recess has a bottom positioned away from the fastener
receiving space; the insertion hole is a through hole formed in the
pusher; and the engaging portion comprises a projecting member
mounted to the bottom, so that the engaging member can contact the
projecting member in the fastener feeding direction when the
engaging member is inserted into the insertion hole.
19. A magazine in a fastener driving tool, comprising: a magazine
body defining a fastener receiving space for storing a plurality of
fasteners therein; a pusher movable relative to the magazine body
along a fattener feeding direction toward a fastener driving
channel defined in a tool body of the fastener driving tool; a leaf
spring having a first end portion connected to the magazine body
and a second end portion opposite to the first end; a winding wheel
rotatably supported on a support wall of the pusher; wherein the
second end portion of the leaf spring is connected to the winding
wheel and is spirally wound around the winding wheel, so that the
pusher is biased in the fastener feeding direction by the leaf
spring; and a pusher holding device configured to hold the pusher
at a midway position within a movable range of the pusher in the
fastener feeding direction; wherein the pusher holding device is
configured to releasably fix the rotational position of the winding
wheel relative to the support wall of the pusher.
20. The magazine as in claim 19, wherein the pusher holding device
comprises: a pin; a first insertion hole formed in the support wall
of the pusher; and a second insertion hole formed in the winding
wheel, wherein the pin can be inserted into the second insertion
hole through the first insertion hole.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese patent
application serial number 2008-031591, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to magazines for storing a
plurality of fasteners in fastener driving tools, such as
nailers.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Known fastener driving tools include a tool body having a
piston disposed therein. The piston is reciprocally driven by a
drive source, such as a compressed air. A driver guide defining a
fastener driving channel therein is mounted to a lower end of the
tool body. A front end with respect to a feeding direction of a
magazine is connected to the driver guide. A plurality of fasteners
are stored within the magazine. In general, the fasteners are
joined in series and in parallel with each other to form a thin
plate-like fastener stick (hereinafter called "fastener stick").
Each of the fasteners in the fastener stick can be separated from
the other as it is driven by a driver that is coupled to the piston
and is reciprocally moved within the fastener driving channel.
[0006] The fastener stick is biased in a feeding direction toward
the fastener feeding channel by a pusher that is biased, for
example, by a coil spring. If one of the fasteners of the fastener
stick is driven out of the fastener feeding channel, the pusher
moves the fastener stick toward the fastener feeding channel by a
distance corresponding to a thickness of each of the fasteners
(i.e., a distance corresponding to a pitch of the fasteners in the
fastener stick), so that the fastener positioned next to the driven
fastener is fed into the fastener feeding channel.
[0007] In general, in order to facilitate the operation for
inserting a fastener stick into the magazine, a lock device is
provided for fixing the pusher in position when the pusher has
moved to its rear stroke end opposite to the feeding direction.
[0008] In the case of the fastener driving tool having the magazine
configured as described above, when one of the fasteners has been
clogged within the driver guide, it is possible to remove such a
logged fastener by moving the stored fastener stick in a direction
opposite to the feeding direction, removing the fastener stick from
the magazine, or moving the pusher in a direction opposite to the
feeding direction.
[0009] However, in the case that the pusher is moved in the
direction opposite to the feeding direction for removing the
clogged fastener, a relatively large force is necessary to be
applied to the pusher for moving the pusher to the rear stroke end,
where the pusher is locked, against a basing force of the coil
spring. Because this operation is troublesome in some occasion,
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-15589 (Japanese
Patent No. 3524387) has proposed to form insertion holes in a
magazine body at a midway position within a stroke of movement of
the pusher and to insert a stopper pin into and through the
insertion holes. Therefore, the stopper pin can prevent the pusher
from moving in the fastener feeding direction beyond the stopper
pin. With this arrangement, it is possible to hold the pusher at a
position away from the fastener driving channel by a distance
enough to enable the operation for removing the clogged fastener
from the fastener driving channel.
[0010] However, according to the technique of Japanese Patent
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-15589, it is necessary to
insert the stopper pin into the insertion holes formed in opposite
sides of the magazine body so as to extend across the fastener
receiving space.
[0011] Therefore, there is a need for magazines in fastener driving
tools, which have a pusher holding device that can bold a pusher in
a midway position and has a simply configured magazine body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One aspect according to the present invention includes
magazines in fastener driving tools. The magazines include a
magazine body, a pusher, a biasing device and a pusher holding
device. The magazine body defines a fastener receiving space for
storing a plurality of fasteners therein. The pusher is mounted to
the magazine body and is movable in a fattener feeding direction
toward a fastener driving channel defined in a tool body of the
fastener driving tool. The biasing device biases the pusher in the
fastener feeding direction. The pusher holding device can hold the
pusher at a midway position within a movable range of the pusher in
the fastener feeding direction. The pusher holding device may
include no insertion hole or only one insertion hole formed in the
magazine body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a fastener driving device according
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a part of a magazine of
the fastener driving device and showing a pusher holding device and
its associated components;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line (3)-(3) in
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line (4)-(4) in
FIG. 1
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a pusher holding device
of a magazine according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a pusher holding
device of a magazine according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a pusher holding
device of a magazine according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a pusher
holding device of a magazine according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a pusher
holding device of a magazine according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a pusher
holding device of a magazine according to a seventh embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a pusher holding
device of a magazine according to an eighth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a pusher holding
device of a magazine according to a ninth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a pusher
holding device of a magazine according to a tenth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a schematic side view showing a pusher holding
device of a magazine according to an eleventh embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a pusher
holding device of a magazine according to a twelfth embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a pusher
holding device of a magazine according to a thirteenth embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed
above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with
other features and teachings to provide improved magazines for
fastener driving tools. Representative examples of the present
invention, which examples utilize many of these additional features
and teachings both separately and in conjunction with one another,
will now be described in detail with reference to the attached
drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a
person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred
aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of the
claimed invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps
disclosed in the following detailed description may not be
necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are
instead taught merely to particularly describe representative
examples of the invention. Moreover, various features of the
representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in
ways that are not specifically enumerated in order to provide
additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.
[0030] In one embodiment, the pusher holding device includes an
engaging member mounted to one of the magazine body and the pusher
and movable between an engaging position and a rest position. The
engaging member can engage the other of the magazine body and the
pusher for holding the pusher at the midway position against the
biasing force of the biasing device.
[0031] In another embodiment, the pusher holding device includes an
engaging member that can engage the pusher with at least one of a
pair of guide rails that serve to guide the fasteners in the
fastener feeding direction.
[0032] In a further embodiment, the pusher holding device includes
an insertion hole formed in the pusher, an engaging member that can
be removably inserted into the insertion hole, and an engaging
portion provided on the magazine body or a part of the tool body,
so that the engaging member can engage the engaging portion.
[0033] In a further embodiment, the magazine includes a leaf spring
having a first end portion connected to the magazine body and a
second end portion opposite to the first end. A winding wheel is
rotatably supported on a support wall of the pusher. The second end
portion of the leaf spring is connected to the winding wheel and is
spirally wound around the winding wheel, so that the pusher is
biased in the fastener feeding direction by the leaf spring. The
pusher holding device is configured to releasably fix the
rotational position of a winding wheel relative to a support wall
of the pusher.
[0034] A first embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Referring to FIG.
1, a fastener driving tool 1 incorporating a magazine 30 according
to the first embodiment. The fastener driving tool 1 has a tool
body 2 having a piston (not shown) disposed therein. The piston is
vertically reciprocally moved by the pressure of a compression air
that serves as a drive source. A driver guide 4 is mounted to the
lower end of the tool body 2 and extends vertically downward
therefrom. The driver guide 4 has a lower end with an outlet 4a,
from which fasteners n (see FIG. 3) can be driven out. A driver
(not shown) is connected to the piston and can reciprocally move
within a fastener driving channel 4b formed within the driver guide
4, so that the driver can apply an impact force to one of the
fasteners n positioned within the driver guide 4 for driving the
one of the fasteners n out of the outlet 4a.
[0035] A handle 3 extends laterally from a side portion of the tool
body 2, so that an operator can grasp the handle 3 for operating
the fastener driving tool 1. A trigger or a switch lever 5 is
mounted to the tool body 2 at a position below the base portion of
the handle 3, so that the operator can pull the switch lever 5 by
fingers of his or her hand that grasps the handle 3. The switch
lever 5 is coupled to a control device (not shown) that can control
the compressed air such that the compressed air may cause the
piston to reciprocate vertically by one stroke within the tool body
2 when the operator pulls the switch lever 5. Therefore, the driver
also reciprocates vertically within the driver guide 4 by one
stroke. As the driver moves downward, the driver applies an impact
onto one of the fasteners n positioned within the driver guide 4,
so that one of the fasteners n is forcibly removed from the other
fasteners n and is then driven out of the outlet 4a. The fasteners
n can be driven out of the driver guide 4 one by one as the
operator repeatedly pulls and releases the switch lever 5. The
control device will not be described in detail, because such a
control device for controlling a compressed air to enable
reciprocating movement of the piston is known in the art.
[0036] A magazine 30 is mounted to extend between the handle 3 and
the driver guide 4 and includes a magazine body 31 and a pusher 32.
A fastener stick N is stored within the magazine body 31. The
fastener stick N consists of a plurality of parallel fasteners n
that are joined in series with each other. For example, the
fasteners n may be nails. The fastener stick N has a thin
plate-like configuration and may be also called a "sheet fastener."
The pusher 32 is supported on the magazine body 31 such that the
pusher 32 can move in the lengthwise direction along the magazine
body 31. The pusher 32 serves to push the fastener stick N in a
fastener feeding direction P toward the fastener driving channel 4b
of the driver guide 4.
[0037] In this specification, the fastener feeding direction P is
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the magazine body 31. A
direction that is perpendicular to the fastener feeding direction P
is called a "fastener height direction (or fastener height
direction) L" of the fasteners n. In this embodiment, the fastener
height direction L is parallel to a widthwise direction of the
magazine body 31. A direction perpendicular to both of the fastener
feeding direction P and the fastener height direction L is called a
"fastener thickness direction D." In addition, in this
specification, the terms "a front side" or "a forward direction",
and "a rear side" or "a rearward direction", "a right side" or "a
rightward direction" and "a left side" or "a leftward direction"
are used to mean the sides or directions with respect to the
fastener feeding direction P. Therefore, the fastener height
direction L corresponds to the upward or downward direction.
[0038] A fastener receiving space 31a for receiving the fastener
stick N is defined within the magazine body 31 along its entire
length. As shown in FIG. 4, the fastener receiving space 31a has a
cross sectional configuration that substantially corresponds to the
cross sectional configuration of the fastener stick N. An opening
31b is formed in a left side wall (right side wall as viewed in
FIG. 4) of the magazine body 31 defining the fastener receiving
space 31a The opening 31b extends along the entire length of the
left side wall and has a uniform width in the fastener height
direction L. The pusher 32 has a feeding claw 32a that enters the
fastener receiving space 31a via the opening 31b.
[0039] A fastener guide surface 31e is formed on a right side wall
opposed to the left side wall of the fastener receiving space 31a
and serves to guide the fastener stick N.
[0040] The fastener feeding claw 32a is pivotally mounted to the
pusher 32 via a support shaft (not shown) such that the fastener
feeding claw 32a can move between a first position, where a free
end of the fastener feeding claw 32a is positioned within the
fastener receiving space 31a, and a second position, where the
fastener feeding claw 32a is positioned out of the fastener
receiving space 31a. As the fastener stick N is inserted into the
fastener receiving space 31c, the fastener feeding claw 32a is
pushed by the fastener stick N so as to be moved out of the
fastener receiving space 31a. Therefore, the fastener stick N can
move from a position on the rear side of the pusher 32 to the front
side of the pusher 32 along the fastener feeding direction P (from
the right side to the left side as viewed in FIG. 1). When all of
the fasteners n (i.e., the entire fastener stick N) have moved to
the position on the front side of the pusher 32, the fastener
feeding claw 32a returns to enter the fastener receiving space 31a
and engages the rear end of the fastener stick N, so that the
pusher 32 forces the fastener stick N forwardly in the fastener
feeding direction P toward the fastener driving channel 4b of the
driver guide 4.
[0041] The pusher 32 has a pair guide portions 32b and 32c on
opposite sides with respect to the fastener height direction L
(upper and lower sides as viewed in FIG. 4). The guide portions 32b
and 32c are slidably received by guide rails 31c and 31d provided
on opposite sides with respect to the fastener height direction L
(upper and lower sides as viewed in FIG. 4) of the magazine body
31. Therefore, the pusher 32 can move in the fastener feeding
direction P and in the direction opposite thereto under the guide
of the guide rails 31c and 31d. A spiral or coiled leaf spring 33
normally biases the pusher 32 in the fastener feeding direction P
(i.e., toward the fastener driving channel 4b of the driver guide
4). As shown in FIG. 3, the leaf spring 33 is wound around a
cylindrical winding wheel 34 disposed at the rear portion (right
side portion as viewed in FIG. 3) of the pusher 32. An unwinding
side end portion 33a of the leaf spring 33 is secured to the front
end portion of the magazine body 31.
[0042] The winding wheel 34 is supported between a pair of support
wall portions 34a and 34b formed on the rear portion of the pusher
32. More specifically, the support wall portions 34a and 34b extend
parallel to each other and are spaced by a predetermined distance
in the fastener thickness direction D. A support shaft 35 extends
between the wall portions 34a and 34b and rotatably supports the
winding wheel 34.
[0043] An engaging lever 36 is mounted to the right side portion
(upper portion as viewed in FIG. 3) of the pusher 32. When the
number of the fasteners n of the fastener stick N remaining within
the fastener receiving space 31a has been reduced to zero or a
predetermined number, the pusher 32 is positioned to be proximate
to the fastener driving channel 4b of the driver guide 4, so that
the engaging lever 36 may engage a contact lever 10 (see FIG. 1)
that is vertically slidably mounted to the driver guide 4.
Therefore, the contact lever 10 is prevented from moving along the
driver guide 4, resulting in that the switch lever 5 is prevented
from being pulled by the fingers of the operator. In other words,
the pulling operation of the switch lever 5 becomes ineffective. As
a result, an idle driving operation of the fasteners n can be
prevented.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, a cap 38 having a fastener inlet opening
is mounted to the rear end of the magazine body 31, so that the
fastener stick N can be inserted into the fastener receiving space
31a via the fastener inlet opening of the cap 38. In addition, a
retainer arm 39 is mounted to the cap 38 and serves to prevent the
inserted fastener stick N from being removed from the fastener
receiving space 31a. In this embodiment, the retainer arm 39 is
constituted by a leaf spring.
[0045] As the fastener stick N is inserted into the fastener
receiving space 31a, the fastener stick N causes the retainer arm
39 to be resiliently deformed, so that the fastener stick N can be
inserted further into the fastener receiving space 31a. After the
fastener stick N has been completely inserted into the fastener
receiving space 31a, the retainer arm 39 restores its original
configuration and engages the rear end of the fastener stick N, so
that the fastener stick N can be prevented from being removed from
the fastener receiving space 31a.
[0046] In this embodiment, a pusher holding mechanism 40 is
provided in order to hold the pusher 32 at a midway position along
its movable range in the fastener feeding direction P. In this
embodiment, the midway position is set at a midpoint that is spaced
equally from a front movable end and a rear movable end of the
pusher 32 that may be defined by the leaf spring 33. However, the
midway position may be set to be a position proximal to or away
from the midpoint as long as a distance that is necessary and
sufficient for enabling the fastener(s) n to be easily removed can
be ensured. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pusher holding device 40
includes a stopper 41 that is vertically (in the fastener height
direction L) pivotally mounted to a side face of the lower guide
rail 31c of the magazine body 31 via a support shaft 42. The
stopper 41 is positioned at the midway position and is away from
the fastener driving channel 4b of the driver guide 4, so that the
fastener(s) n can be easily removed when the fastener(s) n has been
clogged within the fastener driving channel 4b.
[0047] As indicated by solid lines in FIG. 1, when the stopper 41
has been pivoted upward to an engaging position, the free end of
the stopper 41 extends into a path of movement of the pusher 32.
When the stopper 41 is in this engaging position, the front end of
the pusher 32 contacts the stopper 41 to prevent the pusher 32 from
moving fiercer in the fastener feeding direction P. Because the
pusher 32 is biased in the fastener feeding direction P by the leaf
spring 33, the pusher 32 is fixed at the midway position.
Therefore, it is possible to ensure a distance or a space between
the pusher 32 and the fastener driving channel 4b, which is
necessary and sufficient for removing the clogged fastener(s) n
from the fastener driving channel 4b.
[0048] The stopper 41 is normally biased toward the engaging
position by a torsion spring (not shown). Therefore, in order to
move the stopper 41 from the engaging position (indicated by solid
lines in FIGS. 1 and 2) to a rest position (indicated by chain
lines in FIG. 2), the operator may manually pivot the stopper 41
against the biasing force of the torsion spring. When the stopper
41 has pivoted to the rest position, a retainer projection 41a
formed on or mounted to a left side surface of the guide rail 31c
can engage the stopper 41, so that the stopper 41 can be held at
the rest position. The stopper 41 can return from the rest position
to the engaging position by the biasing force of the torsion spring
when the operator manually forcibly pivots the stopper 41 against
the retaining force applied by the retainer projection 41a to the
stopper 41. The stopper 41 can be held at the engaging position
through contact with a stopper projection 41b that is formed or
mounted to the left side surface of the guide rail 31c.
[0049] According to the magazine 30 of this embodiment, when it is
necessary to remove the clogged fastener n from the fastener
driving channel 4b of the driver guide 4, it is possible to hold
the pusher 32 at the midway position in the fastener feeding
direction P, which is not a rearmost position but is spaced away
from the fastener driving channel 4b by a distance that is
necessary and sufficient for removing the clogged fastener n.
Therefore, the operator can move the pusher 32 to the midway
position by a smaller force than required in the case that it is
necessary to move the pusher 32 to its rearmost position against
the biasing force of the leaf spring 33. In addition, the pusher 32
can be held at the midway position by holding the stopper 41 at the
engaging position through contact with the stopper projection 41a.
Because the stopper 41 is mounted to the magazine body 31, no
separate or independent stopper pin is necessary to be provided.
Therefore, there may be no risk of loss of the stopper pin. Hence,
the operation for removing the clogged fastener(s) n can be easily
rapidly performed.
[0050] Further, according to the above embodiment, the stopper 41a
is mounted to the left side surface of the magazine body 31 and can
contact with a part of the pusher 32, which part is positioned away
from the fastener feeding claw 32a and extends outward from the
left side surface of the magazine 30 in the fastener thickness
direction D. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fastener
feeding claw 32a or a portion proximate thereto from being damaged
by the stopper 41a.
[0051] For example, in the case that an insertion hole is formed in
the fastener guide surface 31e at a position forwardly of the
pusher 32 with respect to the fastener feeding direction P and that
a stopper pin is inserted into the insertion hole for preventing
the movement of the pusher 32, the feeding claw 32a or a portion
proximate thereto of the pusher 32 may be pressed against the
stopper pin by the biasing force of the leaf spring. In such a
case, a possibility may exist that the feeding claw 32a or its
proximate portion may be damaged or deformed to impair the smooth
feeding function. In contrast, according to the pusher holding
device 40 of the embodiment, the stopper 41 engages the pusher 32
at a position on the outer side of the magazine body 31. Therefore,
it is possible to reliably prevent the feeding claw 32a or its
proximate portion from being damaged, and hence, it is possible to
improve the durability of the magazine 30.
[0052] The pusher holding device 40 described above may be modified
in various ways. For example, although the torsion spring biases
the stopper 41 toward the engaging position in order to hold the
stopper 41 at the engaging position, the stopper 41 may be held at
the engaging position by a retainer projection that is similar to
the retainer projection 41a. In addition, although the stopper 41
can pivots between the engaging position and the rest position
about the support shaft 42, the stopper 41 may be replaced with a
slidable stopper that can slidably move in a direction
perpendicular to the feeding direction P between an engaging
position and a rest position. Further, in order to hold the pusher
32 at the midway position within the movable range, different
mechanisms from that used in the pusher holding device 40 can be
incorporated.
[0053] Pusher holding devices according to second to thirteenth
embodiments will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 16.
These embodiments are modifications of the first embodiment.
Therefore, in FIGS. 5 to 16, like members are given the same
reference numerals as the first embodiment and the description of
these members will not be repeated.
Second Embodiment
[0054] A second embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 5. According to a pusher holding device 50 of this embodiment,
a recess 31f is formed in the fastener guide surface 31e along its
entire length along the fastener feeding direction P. An engaging
member 51 is attached to a bottom wall 31g of the recess 31f by
means of a sew or a bolt 52 and is positioned at a midway position
along the length in the fastener feeding direction P. In this
embodiment, the engaging member 51 is constituted by a leaf spring.
When no force is applied to the engaging member 51, the engaging
member 51 is positioned at a rest position within the recess 31f as
indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5.
[0055] The engaging member 51 can be manually resiliently deformed
to be raised to an engaging position where the free end (tipper end
as viewed in FIG. 5) of the engaging member 51 extends into the
fastener receiving space 31a as indicated by chain lines in FIG. 5.
When the engaging member 51 is positioned at the engaging position,
the feeding claw 32a of the pusher 32 can engage the engaging
member 51, so that the pusher 32 can be prevented from moving in
the fastener feeding direction P. Because the pusher 32 is biased
in the fastener feeding direction P by the leaf spring 33, the
pusher 32 can be held at the midway position within the movable
range of the pusher 32 in the fastener feeding direction P.
[0056] Therefore, also with this arrangement, the operation for
removing the clogged fastener(s) n within the fastener driving
channel 4b can be rapidly easily performed. In order to release the
pusher 32 from the holding condition, the operator may manually
move the pusher 32 in the rearward direction, so that the feeding
claw 32a is disengaged from the engaging member 51. Then, the
engaging member 51 automatically resiliently restores to the rest
position after disengagement from the feeding claw 32a.
Third Embodiment
[0057] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIG. 6. A pusher holding device 60
according to this embodiment includes a stopper 61 mounted to the
pusher 32. More specifically, the stopper 61 is pivotally mounted
to a left side surface of the pusher 32 via a support shaft 62 and
can pivot vertically (in the fastener height direction L) between a
rest position indicated by solid lines and an engaging position
indicated by chain lines. Also, the stopper 61 can be held at the
rest position by a retainer projection (not shown) similar to the
retainer projection 41a of the first embodiment and can contact a
stopper projection (not shown) similar to the stopper projection
41b. A notch-like engaging recess 63 is formed in the guide rail
31c and is positioned at a midway position within the movable range
of the pusher 32 in the fastener feeding direction P.
[0058] When the stopper 61 is pivoted to the engaging position, the
stopper 51 can engage the engaging recess 63, so that the pusher 32
may be prevented from moving in the fastener feeding direction
P.
[0059] Also with this arrangement, the pusher 32 can be easily held
at the midway position within the movable range of the pusher 32.
Therefore, it may be possible to move the pusher 32 by a relatively
small force to the midway position to enable the operation for
removing the clogged nail(s) within the fastener driving channel 4b
to be effectively performed.
Fourth Embodiment
[0060] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIG. 7. A pusher holding device 70
according to this embodiment includes a stopper rod 71 serving as
an engaging member. A rod holder 72 is mounted to a left side
surface of the pusher 32 and supports the stopper rod 71, so that
the support rod 71 can move in an axial direction parallel to the
fastener height direction L. A push button 71a is provided on an
upper end of the stopper rod 71, so that the operator can push the
push button 71a for axially moving the stopper rod 71. A
compression spring 73 is interleaved between the push button 71a
and a bottom portion of the rod holder 72, so that the stopper rod
71 is biased upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 6) toward a rest position
by the compression spring 73.
[0061] A hook portion 71b is formed on the lower end (as viewed in
FIG. 7) of the stopper rod 71. The stopper rod 71 is prevented from
rotating about its axis relative to the rod holder 72 by a rotation
preventing projection (not shown). An L-shaped notch-like engaging
recess 74 is formed in the guide rail 31c and has an open upper
end. The engaging recess 74 is positioned at a midway position
within the movable range of the pusher 32 in the fastener feeding
direction P. When the operator pushes the push button 71a downward
against the biasing force of the compression spring 73 on the
condition that the pusher 32 is positioned at the midway position,
the lower end of the support rod 71 can move into the engaging
recess 74. When the operator releases the pusher 32, the hook
portion 71b is engaged by the front edge of the engaging recess 74
due to the biasing force applied to the pusher 32. Therefore, the
stopper rod 71 can be held at the engaging position. Because the
stopper rod 71 is locked at the engaging position, the pusher 32 is
held at the midway position within the movable range in the
fastener feeding direction P.
[0062] In order to release the position holding condition of the
pusher 32, the operator may move the pusher 32 rearward opposite to
the fastener feeding direction P by a little distance, so that the
hook portion 71b moves away from the front edge of the engaging
recess 74. Then, the stopper rod 71 returns to the rest position by
the biasing force of the compression spring 73. As a result, the
position holding condition of the pusher 32 can be released.
[0063] Also with this pusher holding device 70, it is possible to
hold the pusher 32 at the midway position in the fastener feeding
direction by a simple operation.
Fifth Embodiment
[0064] A fifth embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to FIG. 8. A pusher holding device
80 of this embodiment includes a stopper screw 81. The stopper
screw 81 has a threaded shank 81a and a head having a grip 84
mounted thereto. The threaded shank 81a threadably engages a
threaded hole 82 formed in the pusher 32 and extends throughout the
thickness of the pusher 32 in the fastener thickness direction D.
The grip 84 is positioned on one side of the pusher 32 and on the
outer side of the magazine body 31, so that the operator can easily
grasp the grip 84. When the operator grasps the grip 84 and rotates
the stopper screw 81 in one direction (tightening direction), the
stopper screw 81 moves in an axial direction (the fastener
thickness direction D) to an engaging position, where an end
portion of the threaded shank 81a abuts to the bottom 31g of the
recess 31f of the magazine body 31. Thus, in the engaging position,
the pusher 32 can be prevented from moving in the fastener feeding
direction P due to the frictional force between the end portion of
the threaded shank 81a and the bottom 31g of the recess 31f.
[0065] As the operator rotates the grip 84 in the opposite
direction (loosening direction), the end portion of the threaded
shank 81a moves away from the bottom 31g of the recess 31f, so that
the stopper screw 81 moves from the engaging position to a rest
position. Therefore, the pusher 32 can move in the fastener feeding
direction P.
[0066] According to the pusher holding device 80 of this
embodiment, the pusher 32 can be held at the midway position within
the movable range in the fastener feeding direction P by tightening
the stopper screw 81 to move it to the engaging position. In
addition, it is possible to lock the pusher 32 in position by a
simple rotational operation of the stopper screw 81.
[0067] Further, because the pusher 32 is locked by the abutment of
the end portion of the threaded shank 81a to the bottom 31g of the
magazine body 31, the operator can lock the pusher 32 at any
position within the movable range of the pusher 32. Therefore, the
operator can lock the pusher 32 at any desired position depending
on the kind of work to be performed As a result, it is possible to
improve the operability of the magazine 30 and to improve the
working efficiency.
[0068] The above pusher holding devices 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 can
still be modified in various ways. For example, the pusher holding
device 40 may be modified such that the stopper 40 is mounted to
the pusher 32 and can engage an engaging portion mounted to or
formed on the guide rail 31c for holding the pusher 32 in the
midway position. Similarly, the pusher holding device 50 may be
modified such that the engaging member 51 is mounted to the pusher
32 and can engage an engaging portion mounted to or formed on the
bottom of the magazine body 31. The push lock device 60 may be
modified such that the stopper 61 is mounted to the guide rail 31c
or 31d of the magazine body 31 and can engage an engaging recess
formed in the pusher 32. The push lock device 70 may be modified
such that the stopper rod 71 is supported on the magazine body 31
and the engaging recess 74 is formed in the pusher 32 for
engagement with the stopper rod 71. The push lock device 80 may be
modified such that the threaded shank 81a of the stopper screw 81
is threadably engaged with the bottom 31g or the guide rail 31c or
31d and can contact a part of the pusher 32 when the stopper screw
81 is tightened.
[0069] Further, in order to move the engaging member (or the
stopper or the stopper rod) between the engaging position and the
rest position, various moving mechanisms can be used other than
those used in the first to fifth embodiments. In summary, the
engaging member rotate, pivot, slide or axially move by a pushing
operation or by means of a read mechanism.
Sixth Embodiment
[0070] A sixth embodiment will not be described with reference to
FIG. 9. A pusher holding device 90 according to this embodiment
includes a pair of L-shaped restricting brackets 92 and 93 attached
to outer side walls of the guide rails 31c and 31d of the magazine
body 31, respectively. The restricting brackets 92 and 93 are
positioned at a midway position of the movable range in the
fastener feeding direction P of the pusher 32 and arm opposed to
each other. Restricting holes 92a and 93a are formed in the
restricting brackets 92 and 93, respectively, and have the same
diameter and the same axis. A restricting bar 91 can be inserted
through the restricting holes 92a and 93a and has a flange portion
91a at its upper end. The flange portion 91a has a diameter larger
than the diameter of the restricting holes 92a and 93a. Therefore,
after the restricting bar 91 has been inserted through the
restricting holes 92a and 93a from above in FIG. 9, the restricting
bar 91 can be kept inserted through the restricting holes 92a and
93a. For example, the restricting bar 91 may be constituted by a
nail having a suitable diameter and length.
[0071] As the restricting bar 91 is inserted through the
restricting holes 92a and 93a, the restricting bar 91 extends
between the restricting brackets 92 and 93. The pusher 32 has a
protruding portion 32h protruding outward from the magazine body
31, so that the restricting bar 91 can contact the protruding
portion 32h in order to prevent the pusher 32 from moving in the
fastener feeding direction P. Therefore, the pusher 32 can be held
at the midway position
[0072] Removing the restricting bar 91 from the restricting holes
92a and 93a allows the pusher 32 to move in the fastener feeding
direction P, so that the pusher 32 can perform the feeding
operation of the fastener stick N.
[0073] Also with this embodiment, it is possible to hold the pusher
32 at the midway position within the movable range of the pusher
32. Although this embodiment utilizes the restricting bar 91 that
is a separated member from the magazine body 31, the restricting
bar 91 can contact the protruding portion 32h of the pusher 32,
which protrudes outward from the magazine body 31 beyond the guide
rails 31c and 31d and is positioned away from the feeding claw 32a.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the feeding claw 32
or its proximate portion from being deformed or damaged. As a
result, it is possible to improve the durability of the magazine
30.
Seventh Embodiment
[0074] A seventh embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 10. A pusher holding device 100 of this embodiment includes a
lock hole 101 formed in an upper wall as viewed in FIG. 10 of the
guide rail 31d and extending throughout the thickness of the upper
wall, an engaging hole 102 formed in the upper portion of the upper
guide portion 32c of the pusher 32, and a lock pin 103 that can be
inserted into the lock hole 101 and further into the engaging hole
102. With this arrangement, it is also possible to lock the pusher
32 at a midway position within the movable range in the fastener
feeding direction P of the pusher 32. Further, similar to the sixth
embodiment, the lock pin 103 may be positioned away from the
feeding claw 32a or its proximate portion. Therefore, it is
possible to improve the durability of the magazine 30.
Eighth Embodiment
[0075] An eighth embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 11. A pusher holding device 110 according to this embodiment
includes a rectangular recess 111 formed in a lower portion of on
the left side of the pusher 32, and a rectangular recess 112 formed
in the lower guide rail 31e at a midway position within the movable
range in the feeding direction P of the pusher 32. The rectangular
recess 112 can oppose to the rectangular recess 111 when the pusher
32 is positioned at the midway position. The pusher holding device
110 further includes a rectangular lock member 113 that can be
inserted into the rectangular recesses 111 and 112 to extend
therebetween when the pusher 32 is positioned at the midway
position. Therefore, the pusher 32 can be locked at the midway
position. The rectangular recesses 111 and 112 may be replaced with
semi-cylindrical recesses. In such a case, the rectangular lock
member 113 may be replaced with a semi-cylindrical lock member.
Ninth Embodiment
[0076] A ninth embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 12. A pusher holding device 120 according to this embodiment
includes a semicircular recess 121 formed in an upper portion of
the left side of the pusher 32, and a semicircular recess 122
formed in the upper guide rail 31d at a midway position within the
movable range in the feeding direction P of the pusher 32. The
semicircular recess 122 can oppose to the semicircular recess 121
when the pusher 32 is positioned at the midway position. The pusher
holding device 120 further includes a circular lock member 123 that
can be inserted into the semicircular recesses 121 and 122 to
extend therebetween when the pusher 32 is positioned at the midway
position. Therefore, the pusher 32 can be locked at the midway
position. The semicircular messes 121 and 122 may be replaced with
quadrant spherical recesses. In such a case, the circular lock
member 123 may be replaced with a hemispherical member.
[0077] Also with the arrangement of the seventh and ninth
embodiments, the rectangular recess 111 and the semicircular recess
121 are positioned away from the feeding claw 32a and its proximate
portion. Therefore, it is possible to improve the durability of the
magazine 30.
[0078] In summary, according to the sixth to ninth embodiments, the
engaging member (i.e., the restricting bar 91, the lock pin 103,
the rectangular lock member 113 or the circular lock member 112)
engages the pusher 32 without entering the fastener receiving space
31a (or without extending across the fastener receiving space 31a).
This arrangement may prevent the feeding claw 32a and its proximate
portion from being damaged by the engaging member. Therefore, it is
possible to ensure that the fasteners can be reliably fed during
the long time use of the magazine 30. As a result, it is possible
to improve the durability of the pusher 32 and the magazine 30.
Tenth Embodiment
[0079] A tenth embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 13. A pusher holding device 130 of this embodiment includes a
first bracket 131 mounted to the rear end of the pusher 32, a
second bracket 132 mounted to the bottom 31g of the magazine body
31, and a lock pin 133 that can be inserted into the first and
second brackets 131 and 132 to extend therebetween. More
specifically, a support hole 131a and an engaging hole 132a are
formed in the first bracket 131 and the second bracket 132,
respectively, and have the same diameter. The lock pin 133 can be
inserted through the support hole 131a and the engaging hole
132a.
[0080] When the pusher 32 is positioned at a midway position within
the movable range in the fastener feeding direction P, the support
hole 131a and the engaging hole 132a are positioned to be aligned
with each other on the same axis that extends in the fastener
thickness direction D. Then, the lock pin 133 is inserted through
the support hole 131a and the engaging hole 132a, so that the
pusher 32 can be locked at the midway position. Removing the lock
pin 133 from the support hole 131a and the engaging hole 132a
allows the pusher 32 to move toward the fastener driving channel
4b.
[0081] Although the support hole 131a is formed in the first
bracket 131 that is mounted to the pusher 32, the support hole 131a
may be formed directly in the rear portion of the pusher 32. In
such a case, the first bracket 131 can be omitted.
Eleventh Embodiment
[0082] An eleventh embodiment will now be described with reference
to FIG. 14. A pusher holding device 140 of this embodiment includes
two lock pins 141 and 142 and further includes two parallel support
holes 143 and 144 formed in the front portion of the pusher 32. The
support holes 143 and 144 have bottoms and have axes parallel to
the fastener feeding direction P.
[0083] In order to lock the pusher 32 at a midway position within
the movable range in the fastener feeding direction P, the operator
moves the pusher 32 to the midway position and then he or she
inserts the lock pins 141 and 142 into the support holes 143 and
144, respectively, so that the rear ends of the lock pins 141 and
142 are received within the support holes 143 and 144,
respectively. Therefore, the lock pins 141 and 142 extend forwardly
from the front surface of the pusher 32. Thereafter, the operator
releases the pusher 32, so that flange portions 141a and 142a
formed on the front ends of the lock pins 141 and 142 contact a
rear surface of the driver guide 4. Hence, the pusher 32 can be
held at the midway position. In this way, the lock pins 141 and 142
serve as prop bars for holding the pusher 32 at the midway
position. Because the lock pins 141 and 142 are positioned away
from the feeding claw 32a of the pusher 32, it is possible to
prevent the feeding claw 23a and its proximate portion from being
damaged by the lock pins 141 and 142, so that the durability of the
magazine 30 can be improved.
Twelfth Embodiment
[0084] A twelfth embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 15. A pusher holding device 150 of this embodiment includes a
lock pin 152 that can be inserted into a support hole 151 formed in
the pusher 32 to extend therethrough. The support bole 151 is
formed to extend from one side (right side as viewed in FIG. 15) to
the other side (left side as viewed in FIG. 15) of the pusher 32 in
the fastener thickness direction D. When the lock pin 152 has been
completely inserted into the support hole 151, the end portion
(left end as viewed in FIG. 15) of the lock pin 152 may be
positioned proximal to the bottom 31g of the magazine body 31 but
does contact the bottom 31g. The pusher holding device 150 of this
embodiment further includes a stopper screw 153 engaged with a
corresponding threaded hole formed in the bottom 31g. The stopper
screw 153 has an axis that is parallel to the fastener thickness
direction D and is aligned with the support hole 151 when the
pusher 32 is positioned at the midway position within its movable
range in the fastener feeding direction P. An end portion of the
stopper screw 153 extends into the recess 31f but does not enter
the fastener receiving space 31a, so that the stopper screw 153
does not interact with the fastener stick N.
[0085] In order to hold the pusher 32 at the midway position, the
operator moves the pusher 32 to a position adjacent to and rearward
of the stopper screw 153 with respect to the fastener feeding
direction P. Then, with the pusher 32 held in this position, the
operator inserts the lock pin 152 into the support hole 151, so
that the end portion of the lock pin 152 extends into the recess
31f as indicated by chain lines in FIG. 15. Thereafter, the
operator releases the pusher 32 or moves the pusher 32 forwardly,
so that the end portion of the lock pin 152 contacts the stopper
screw 153 to prevent further movement of the pusher 32 in the
fastener feeding direction P. Hence, the pusher 32 can be held in
the midway position.
[0086] Also with this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the
feeding claw 23a and its proximate portion from being damaged by
the lock pin 152, so that the durability of the magazine 30 can be
improved.
[0087] In summary, according to the tenth to twelfth embodiments,
the lock pin (133, 141(142), or 152) is inserted into the support
hole (131a, 143(144) or 151) formed in the pusher 32 and serving to
support the lock pin, and the lock pin engages or contacts with the
magazine body 30 or the driver guide 4 in order to hold the pusher
32 at the midway position.
Thirteenth Embodiment
[0088] A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIG. 16. A pusher holding device 160 of
this embodiment is configured to restrict the deformation of the
leaf spring 33 that serves to bias the pusher 32 in the fastener
feeding direction P.
[0089] As described in connection with the first embodiment, the
leaf spring 33 is wound around the winding wheel 34 that is
rotatably supported between a pair of the support wall portions 34a
and 34b via the support shaft 35. An insertion hole 162 is formed
in the support wall portion 34a positioned on the upper side as
viewed in FIG. 16 and extends through the upper wall portion 34a in
the fastener thickness direction D.
[0090] The winding side end portion of the leaf spring 33 is
secured to the winding wheel 34 and the unwinding side end portion
33a of the leaf spring 33 is secured to the front end with respect
to the fastener feeding direction P of the magazine body 31.
Therefore, as the pusher 32 moves toward the fastener feeding
direction P, the distance between the pusher 32 and the unwinding
side end portion 33a secured to the front end portion of the
magazine body 31 decreases, so that the winding side portion of the
leaf spring 33 is wound around the winding wheel 34. In this way,
the winding wheel 34 rotates in one direction as the leaf spring 33
is wound around the winding wheel 34, while the winding wheel 34
rotates in an opposite direction as the leaf spring 33 is unwound
from the winding wheel 34. Therefore, the movement of the pusher 32
and the movement of the leaf spring 33 as well as the rotational
movement of the winding wheel 34 are correlated with each
other.
[0091] According to this embodiment, a bottomed engaging hole 163
is formed in a surface of the winding wheel 34, which is opposed to
the support wall portion 34a. The engaging hole 163 has the same
diameter as the insertion hole 162 and can align with the insertion
hole 162 as the winding wheel 34 rotates. More specifically, when
the pusher 32 has moved to a midway position within the movable
range in the fastener feeding direction P, the engaging hole 163 is
positioned to align with the insertion hole 162. With the pusher 32
held in this position, a lock pin 161 can be inserted into the
insertion hole 162 and further into the engaging hole 163, so that
the winding wheel 34 can be fixed with respect to the rotational
movement. Therefore, the pusher 32 can be fixed in the midway
position. Removing the lock pin 161 from the engaging hole 163
allows the pusher 32 to move in the fastener feeding direction
P.
[0092] Because the winding wheel 34 is positioned away from the
fastener feeding claw 32a, it is possible to prevent the feeding
claw 23a and its proximate portion from being damaged by the lock
pin 161, so that the durability of the magazine 30 can be
improved.
[0093] In summary, the thirteenth embodiment is different from the
previously described embodiments in that the pusher 32 is
indirectly looked at the midway position by restricting the
rotation of the winding wheel 34 of the leaf spring 33 that biases
the pusher 32 in the fastener feeding direction P.
[0094] The thirteenth embodiment can be modified in various ways.
For example, although only one engaging hole 163 is formed in the
winding wheel 34, a plurality of engaging holes may be formed in
the winding wheel 34 so as to be spaced from each other in the
rotational direction of the winding wheel 34, so that it is
possible to lock the pusher 32 at a plurality of different midway
positions to enable selection of one of the midway positions
depending on the work to be performed. Therefore, it is possible to
further efficiently perform the work relating to the magazine
30.
* * * * *